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MMA Update: 14th Annual "Storm the State House"

Doc D'Errico | Published on 6/10/2015

MMA Update: 14th Annual "Storm the State House"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 14th Annual Massachusetts Motorcycle Association "Storm the State House" is now in the history books. The MMA's "Storm" is the main Legislative Lobbying event where Massachusetts' motorcyclists are invited and encouraged to ride to the State House in Boston to meet with their State Senators' and State Representatives' offices.

Despite sharing the weekend with Rolling Thunder, and beginning from many staging areas around the State, approximately 100 riders from across the Commonwealth pre-staged at the Lion's Club/Senior Center in Somerville in anticipation of the ride to Beacon Hill. Light breakfast items including fruit, coffee & tea were available for the riders who made a small donation to the "Toys for Local Children" organization who have supported the MMA's Storm for many years.

The Somerville location was also where the 14th Annual Storm the State House t-shirts were picked up by those participants who purchased them. This year's theme was, "You Ride Free, Because of Me", printed on the back of the t-shirt.

Riders lined both sides of the street at the Somerville Staging Area

Your MMA notes that threats to motorcyclists' rights to ride freely with respect and dignity occur at all levels of society, be it from the National level with Federal mandates, the State level with legislation, or even the local City and Town level with proposed by-laws and ordinances; your Massachusetts Motorcycle Association has an ear to the ground to monitor, track, and fight these threats.

Gathering in the Gardner Auditorium at the State House, all motorcyclists had the opportunity to speak with State Representative Tim Whelan from the 1st Barnstable District. Representative Whelan is a USMC Veteran, retired Massachusetts State Police Sergeant and a formal co-Sponsor to almost all of the MMA Legislative Agenda. Noting that, "Legislative members will see <us> in the hallways as we go to their offices, most will think there were thousands of motorcyclists in the State House today," Representative Whelan then fielded questions from members in attendance and was very supportive of the grassroots approach the MMA has adopted.